Traffic signal



F. E. FITCH TRAFFIC SIGNAL Filed M y 10', 1922 a Sheets-Shee t 1 65 53 TOP G929 GCY 0 5110 P s'rcal March 31. 1925. 1,531,745

F. E. FITCH TRAFFIC SIGNAL Fild M y 10, 1922 s sums-sneak 2 March 31. 1925. 1,531,745

- unmwl INVEINTOR:

BY Q

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 31, 1925.

mural) STATES FRANCIS E. FITCH, OF CHESTERTOWN, MARYLAND.

TRAFFIC SIGNAL.

Application filed May 1.0, 1922. Serial No. 559,726.

To all 107mm it may concern:

Be it known that I, FnANoIs E. FITCH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chester-town, in the county of Kent, State of Maryland, have invented a new and useful Traffic Signal, of which the following is a specification.

My invention. consists of a novel construction of a traffic signal, comprising a polygonal shaped frame or casing preferably composed of corner posts or braces and side panels supported upon a suitable standard and having on said panels the words Go and "Stop," so coilocated that upon the manipulation of suitable shutters controlling the indicia on said panels from a single operating handle below, the tralfic offlicer or operator is enabled to halt all traffic in the four directions of two intersecting streets, so as to allow the crossings in all directions to be cleared of pedestrians before starting the traflic, whereby the laggard pedestrians are protected, provision being further made so that when the operating lever is in one horizontal position Go will appear on what I will designate the cast and west sides of the signal,-the word Stop appearing on the north and south sides thereof, and when the operating lever is in the opposite or reverse horizontal position, the go and stop signals are reversed, the trailic then moving north and south and being stopped on the east and west streets.

By my invent ion, all trailic must be stopped before the go signal can be displayedalnl the shifting from one street to another can be made as slowly or quickly as desired, the signal being so constructed that the go signal cannot be shown in two directions at once.

By reason of my novel collocation of the go and stop signals in conjunction with the controlling shutters manually actuated by the operating lever, I provide a novel means for stopping all tratiic inevery direction at once, which is a novelfeature of utility and importance in this art, the same mechanism upon the proper manipulation. of the operating lever being adapted to control the starting and stopping of traflic on the intersecting streets.

To the above ends, my invention consists of a novel construction of tra-flic signah.

comprising a'polygonal frame having panels, which are provided. with the insignia or words Stop Go Go Stop Stop Stop Go G0 which are superimposed above each other on the four panels in the order and sequence named, when my device is used for two intersecting streets, said frame being provided with shutters, which control the indlcla on said panels, said shutters being connected to pendant arms attached to,

levers which are operated by links or connecting rods controlled by a single manually operated lever. i

It further consists in a device of the character stated, of a novelconstructioh of operating lever provided with a deflected terminal handle so collocated and positioned with respect 'to the other elements of the device that when said lever is in its vertical downwardly extending position, all the stop signals on each side of the device are displayed, and when-said lever is moved to its opposite horizontal positions, the ,traflic will be properly controlled on the north and south or east and west intersections.

It further consists? in providing an operating lover of the character described with J a dcfiecteil terminal handle portion, which will automatically point in the direction of the tral'lic, so that the traliic officer or operator instinctivcly determines from the direction in which the handle member is pointed as'to the direction of the traffic.

It further consists in providing the connecting links and rods, whereby the lovers of the shutters are operated, with'compen sating devices-whereby proper provision.

to the device, since there no liability of any of the operating elements being liable to become injured in use or to get out of fit) partly in elevation,

order.

It further consists of other novel features of construction, all as will be hereinafter fully set forth. I

For the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown in the accompanying drawings a form thereof which is at present preferred by me, since it will give in practice satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized within the scope of the appended claiinsand that my invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Figure 1 represents a front elevation of a traiiic signal embodying my invention showing the operating lever and its handle in its down vertical position, so that the signal displays Stop on all four sides thereof, the signal being viewed from the front apex of the angle formed by a pair of panels.

Figure 2 represents a side elevation similar to Figure 1, but showing the manually operated handle as rotated into its righthand horizontal position.

Figure 3 represents a section on line 3-3 of Figure 22, certain of the parts being shown in plan view.

Figure 4 represents a plan view showing the arrangement and collocation of the stop and go signals on the four panels of the device, said panels being shown as arranged laid out flat in a continuous rectilinear line. Figure 5 represents a section on line 5-5 of Figure 1, showing the relative positions of the shutters, the panels being omitted for the sake of clearness of illustration.

Figure 6 represents on an enlarged scale, a side elevation of a portion of Figure 1, showing the con'i xmsating devices of the operating links or connecting rods which actuate the yoke levers of the shutters.

Figure 7 represents partly in section and a modification of the structure seen in Figure (3, wherein the springs seen therein are omitted. -Figure 7* represents a side elevation of Fig. 7 t

Figure 8 represents on an enlarged scale, a sectional view similar to Figure 5, but showing the collocation of the panels and corner posts, constituting the signal frame, and the mounting of the shutters therein.

Figures 9 and 10 represent perspective views of the shutters, and the lever actuating mechanism therefor, shown in detached 1 position.

Figures 11 and 12 represent front elevations similar to Figures 1 and 2, but showthe VOh'GS therein dispensed with.

Figure 13 represents a section on line 1313 of Figure 14.

Figure lt represents a section on line 1t'1 1 of Fig. 13.

Figure 15 represents a plan view of a brace.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings In carrying out my invention, I employ a vertical standard 1, which may be solid or hollow or tubular which latter construction I prefer, for the sake of cheapness and rigidity, said standard being supported upon a solid base 2 of sufficient weight, so that the standard, traflic signal and their adjuncts will be rigidly and effectively supported at all times. Upon the. standard about midway of its height, I locate the operating lever 3, which may be fulcrumed or supported in any suitablemanner, as upon a collar 1 and in the present instance, I have shown the rock arm 5as integral with the lever and the latter as mounted on a rod 6, which passes transversely through the collar 1 and standard 2, said rod having secured to its opposite end the rock arm 7, which extends at substantially a right angle to the rock arm 5. I

The lever 3 has its outer terminal or handle member 8 deflected at an angle thereto, as best seen in Figure 3 and special attention is directed to this feature of my invention, since by my novel collocation of the operating elements, said handle member or terminal 8 alwaysflpoints when in either of its horizontal positions in the direction of the traffic, thereby enabling the operator or trafiic oflicer to automatically know or ascertain by the position or feel of the handle, the direction of the traffic for which the signal is set.

Thearm 5 has pivotally secured thereto at the point 9, the lower end of the ,rod 10., the upper end thereof passing through the hole 11 in the bottom of the head 12 of the upper rod 13 (see Figure 6). The head 12 is provided with a seat or spring chamber 14 in. which is contained the spring 15, the upper end of said rod 10 contacting with the bottom end of said spring 15, whose end contacts with the upper wall of the seat 15%,

ll O

whereby a limited amount of play or lost motio 10 ant 13, which constitute a link connection between the arm 5 andthe upper lever 16, the rod 10 having the pin 1O passing therethrough whose movement is limited by the slot- 11 If desired, the spring 15, seen in Figure 6, may be omitted and the construction seen in Figure 7 employed, it being apparent that the upward movement of the lower rod 10 bythe contact of its pin 1O with the top wall of the slot 11 will raise the rod 13,

is permitted between the members parts being effected by with the lower wall of the descent of the said pin contacting the slot 11".

The upper rod 13 is pivotally connected at its upper end with the lever 16 at the point 17, said lever being fulcrumed at the point 18 to the collar 19 or the like,which is pinned or otherwise secured to the upper portion of the standard 1.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the lefthand end of the lever 16 is pivotally connected at 20 to the lower end of the arm 21, which is connected to the bottom 22 of the yoke 23, which is formed by said bottom member and the uprights 24, the upper ends of said uprights being pivotally attached to cars on the lower portion of the shutter 25. The shutter 25 is vertically movable in ways or guides 26 and is so construct-ed that it controls the indicia on the panel or surface 27, the lower portion of said panel having Stop thereon as indicated at 28, while the upper aligning portion of said panel has the word Go thereon as indicated ,at 29,

" so that it will be apparent that when the shutter 25 is in its elevated position, the word Stop will be visible as seen in Figure 1, and when it is in its lowest position as indicated at Figure 2, the word Go will. be visible as seen in Figure 2 To the end of the lever 16, opposite the pivot 20 is pivotally secured at 30 the pendant arm 31, which is secured to the bottom member 32 of the yoke 33, which latteris composed of the bottom member 32 and the uprights 34, which are pivotally attached to the shutter 35, which is movable in thev ways 36, said shutter 35 controlling the panel 37, which isdirectly opposite to the panel 27. The panel 37 has the word Stop on its upper portion as indicated at 39, and below in vertical alignment therewith is the word Go as indicated at 38. It will come (piently be apparent from Figures 1 and 4 that when the parts are in the position seen in 'l igure 1, the shutter 25 will be ,up and the word Stop on the panel 27 will be visible, while the shutter 35 will be down and the word Stop on the panel 37 will be visible.

The collar 40 has pivotally attached thereto the lever 41, which is actuated by means of the link or connecting rod connection 42 seen on the right hand side of Figures 1, 2 and 6, which is of the same construction as already described on the left of said figure, the lower end of said compound link 42 being pivotally connected at 43 to the rock arm 7 while the upper end of said compound link is pivotally connected atthe point 44 to said lever 41. The collars 19 and 40 may be separate or integral, as may be desired. Referring to the right hand end of the lever 41 seen in Figures 1 and 2, 44* designates its pivotal connection to the lower end of the arm 45 which is secured to the bottom from Figure 8,

or horizontal" member 46 of the yoke 47,"

at 53, it being apparent thatwhen the shutter 49 is in its elevated position, Stop is visible,

as indicated in Figures 1- and 2.'

The left-hand end of thelever 41 has pivotally secured thereto at 54 the lower end of the pendant arm 55, whiclris connected to the bottom member 56 of theyoke 57, the

latter being composed of said bottom member 56 and the two uprights 58, the upper ends of said uprights'being pivotally se-i w cured to the shutter 59 mounted in the ways 60. The shutter 59 controls the indiciaon the panel 61, see the left of Figure 4-, the lower portion of said panel having the word Go thereon as indicated at 62 and in vertical alignment there-with is the word lndicated at 63.' v

The panels 61, 27, 51 and 37 are stationary Stop as 46. The upperend of or rlgidly supported in the four corner posts 1 64 seen in Figures 5 and 8,.while the shuttors are vertically slidalole in their ways in front of said panels, as will be apparent the stationary panels being omitted from Figure 5 for clear-ness of illus tration. v i

The frame composed of the four corner posts 64 and the stationary panels'til, 27, 51 and 37 may be supported with respect to the standard 1 in any suitable manner as by a spider 65, which spider may be supported upon the upper collar 66 carried by the standard 1 and it will be apparent that two of these spiders may be employed, if desired, and the portion o'llhe standard 1 located within the frame formed by the four panels may be provided with an electric light, as indicated at 66, in Figure The upper portion of the top of the frame composed of the four panels and the four corner posts 64 may be provided with a roof 67 of any suitable contour or ornamental appearance, and said roof may be provided with a slight overhang or eaves as indicated at 68, so that water orrain will be prevented from getting into the ways shutters.

The operation is as follows 2,- hen the lever 3 is down in vertical position asindicated in Figure 1, the various of the sliding shutters will be positioned with respect to their respective panels so that Stop only is visible on four sides, which permits the crossings to be entirely cleared of pedestrians before starting traiiic. Upon turning the lever .0

with its handle 8 into the position indicated in Figure 2, the panels 27 and 37 will display Go while the opposite panels 51 and 61 will display Stop. Upon turning the lever 3 and its handle into the position seen in dotted lines at the left of Figure 1, the opposite series of signals will be visible, as is evident.

It will thus be seen that by my invention I make provision when the lever 3 is in its down position, as seen in Figure 1, for temporarily stopping all traffic on the two intersecting streets and when the lever is turned into either of its extreme positions seen in dotted lines in Figure 1, traffic can i be instantly started in the desired direction on both streets.

When the signal is illuminated at night, it is obvious that it will be equally as effective in the daytime and the light therein in addition to illuminating the indicia on the four panels will also, as it is deflected downwardly indicate the presence ofthe traffic oflicer.

The structure seen in Figures 11 and 12 is similar in function and mode of operation to that seen in Figures 1,2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9

and 10 except that I dispense with the yokes 23, 33, 57 and 47 and in lieu thereof I connect the respective yoke rods or arms as 21, 31, 55 and 45 best seen in Figures 9 and 10 directly to the center of their respective shutters.

I have indicated the shutters which are visible as and 49 seen in Figures 11 and 12 as being in the same position as the correresponding shutters seen in Figures 1 and 2, and as the mode of operation is the same as already described in detail, I deem it unnecessary to repeat the same, it being apparent that the shutter operating lever 16 seen in Figure 11 operates the arms or rods 21 and 31, which correspond to the arms 21 and 31 seen in Figure 9, while the Cal shutter operating lever 41 operates the rods 55 and 45 which correspond to the arms and 45 best seen in Figure 10.

In the construction seen in Figures 11 and 12, I may employ a single collar 69 in lieu of the two collars seen in Figures land 2, which may also be made integral if desired. The construction seen in Figures 11 and 12 may be preferable in some instances, since it enables the shutter actuating mechanism to be placed a little higher up on the standard 2 or at a point nearer the polygonal frame containing the panels 61, 27, 51 and 37 already referred to, and the respective shutter operating arms or rods so positioned that they will not obscure the indicia on the panels.

If desired, I maydispense with the spider seen in Figure 5 and construct the poly onal pane-l frame out of the radially or diametrically arranged braces 69, whose contour and collocation will be understood from Figures 13,14 and 15, said braces each having the arc-shaped inner foot 70, which can be spotwelded to the upper'portion of the standard 1 and the outer angular member 71, which can be spot-welded or otherwise secured in the apices of the angles formed by the upright supports for the transparent panels.

The inner bottom edges of the radial. braces 69 can be supportedupon the collar 66, as will be understood from Figure 14, and it will be understood that the various panels seen in Figures 11 to 14 are opaque and the words Stop and G0 are transparent and made of coloredglass, the same as the panels already described, so that the indicia on the panels, when exposed by the shutters, will be distinguishable at a distance.

It will be understood that the words Stop and Go in the opaque panels are of colored glass or other transparent material, which will cause the indicia or signals thereon to be visible at a distance at night when exposed, and the bottom of theupper panel frame in both constructions being open, will. illuminate or indicate the presence of the policeman or trailic officer at night. It will be understood that while I have referred to the employment of the words Stop and Go, I may use other indicia or equivalent words or means indicative of the cessation or stoppage and resumption of traffic.

It will of course be understood that the box or frame containing the panels canbe made of such polygonal shape as to conform to street crossings where more than two streets intersect, in which case an additional lever will be provided for the additional street, it being apparent that two additional streets may be cared for with one additional lever provided with the double acting arms 5 and 7 of thejcharacter already described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is

1. In a traffic signal, a frame having its sidos'formed of panels, each panel having the words Stop and Go thereon in vertical alignment, a shutter for each panel adapted to expose either Stop or Go, a manually actuated operating lever, and connections intermediate said lever and each shutter.

2. In a traffic signal, a polygonal frame having its sides formed of panels, each panel having the words Stop and Go thereon in;

vertical alignment, a shutter for eachpanel adapted to expose either Stop or Go, a manually actuated operating lever, and connections intermediate said lever and each shutter, said manually ope 'ated lever having a deflected handle terminal adapted autoniatically to point in the direction of the traffic for which the signal is set.

3. In a traffic signal, a standard, a. polygonal frame supported on said standard and having its sides formed of panels, each panel having thereon in vertical alignment and arranged in sequence the words- Stop Go I Go Stop G'o Stop Stop Go a shutter for each of said panels adapted to expose either Stop or Go, a manually actuated operating lever, and connections intermediate said lever and each shutter.

a. In a trallic signal, a standard having a polygonal frame mounted thereon, said frame having its sides formed of panels, each panel having the words Stop Go Go Stop Go Stop Stop Go in'sequencethereon, in vertical alignment, a shutter for each panel adapted to expose either Stop or Go, a shutter lever having connections therefrom to a pair of opposite shutters, a second shutter lever having connections therefrom to another pair of opposite shutters, a manually operated lever fulcrumed on said standard, and connections from said manually operated lever to said shutter operating levers for actuating the latter.

5'. In a traflic signal, a standard having a polygonal frame mounted thereon, said frame having its sides formed of panels, each panel having the Words Stop Go Go Stop Go Stop Stop Go in sequence thereon in vertical alignment, a shutter for each panel adapted to expose either Stop or Go, a shutter lever having connections therefrom to a pair of opposite shutters, a second shutter lever having connections therefrom to another pair of opposite shutters, a manually operated lever fulcrumed on said standard, and connections from said manually operated lever to said shutter operating levers for actuating the latter, said manually operated lever having a deflected handle. terminal adaptedautomatically to point in the direction of the traflic for which the signal is set.

6. In a traflic signal, a standard having a polygonal frame on the upper portion there of, said frame having its sides formed of panels, each panel having the words Stop and Go thereon in vertical alignment, a shutter for each panel adapted to expose either Stop or Go, a shutter actuating lever mounted on the upper portion of said standard and. having connections from its ends to a pair of opposite shutters, a second shutter operating lever mounted on the upper portion of said standard and having connections from its ends to another pair of opposite shutters, a manually operated lever mounted on the lower portion of said stand-, ard, and provided with rock arms, a connection from each of said rock arms to said shutters, actuating levers for operating the latter, and a pin and slot (iompcnsating connection in each'of saidconnections from said rock arms to said shutter actuating levers. I

7. In a tralli'c signal, a standard, a'polyg-= onal frame mounted on the upper portion of said standard, and having its sides 8. In a device of the "hara'ct'er stated, a

standard, a manually operated levermount ed on the lower portion thereof, a rock arm actuated by' said lever, a rod having its lowerend pivotally connected to SELlCl rock arm,-a'transverse' pin in the upper end of' said rod, an upper rod having a: lower head provided with a spring seat and 'a transverse slot,sai'd pin engaging. the walls of said slot, a panel having the words Stop and Go thereon, a shutter for said'panel, connections from said upper rod to said shutter, and a spring in theseat ofthe head of said upper rod. I Y,

9. In a device of the'oharacter stated, a standard, a collar' on the upper portion thereof, a polygonal frame composed of cor-- ner uprights and radially arranged braces, the bottom inner edges of the latter being supported upon said collar, the inner portion of saidbra-ces being secured to the upper endof said standard and the outer portion of said braces being secured to said corner uprights an electric light carried on the upper portion of. said'standard, panels form ing the sides of said frame and provided with the words Stop and Go, shutters controlling the indicia 'on' said panels, and

means for raising. and lowering said shut ters.

10. In a device of the character stated, a standard, a collar on the upper portion thereof, a polygonal frame composed of corner uprights and radially arranged braces, the bottom inner edges of the latter bei supported upon said collar, the inner portion of said braces being secured: to the upper end of said standard and'the outer portion of said bracesbeingsecured to said corner uprights, an electric, light carried 011 the upper end of said standard, panels forming the sides of said frame provided with the words Stop and Go in vertical alignment, shutters controlling the indicia von said panels, and means for raising and low ering said shutters, said words Stop and Go being collocated on said panels in sequence Stop Go Go Stop Go Stop Stop Go 11. In a traffic signal, a plurality of surfaces having thereon indicia indicative of the stoppage and resumption of traffic, shutters for said surfaces for rendering the indicia thereon visible or invisible at will, a pivotally mounted terminal adaptedautomatically to point inthedirection of the traffic for which the signal is set, and mechanism common to said handle and shutters for actuating the latter.

12. In a traffic signal, a plurality of surfaces, having thereon indicia indicative of the stoppage and resumption of traffic, shutters for said surfaces for rendering the indicia thereon visible or invisible at will, a pivotally mounted handle terminal adapted automatically to point in the direction of the traffic for which the signal is set, and mechanism common to said handle and shutters for actuating the latter, in combination with compensating devices located in the mechanism intermediate said handle and shutters whereby. the actuation of the latter is facilitated.

18. In a signaling device for controlling traffic at street intersections and the like, in combination, go-signals for a plurality of intersecting lines of travel; stop-signals for said lines of travel; companion goand-stopsignals being displayed 'upon a common panel; means operable for displaying the appropriate go-signal to traffic on any one of said intersecting lines of travel and simul taneously therewith the appropriate stopsignals to all other traffic, and for displaying said stop-signals to traffic on all said plurality of lines of travel simultaneously;'and a single actuating member for causing either operation of said means at will.

14-. In a signaling device for controlling traffic at street, intersections and the like, in combination, fixed go-signals for a plurality of intersecting lines of travel; fixed stop-signals for said lines of travel; means operable for displaying the appropriate go-sig'nal to traffic on any one of said intersecting lines of travel and simultaneously the appropriate stop-signals to all other traffic, and also operable for displayingstop-signals to traffic on all. said plurality of lines of travel; a single actuating lever for causing either operation of said .means at will; and means caralso operable riedby said leverto indicate the line of travel on which traffic is movin 15. In a signaling device for controlling traffic at street intersections and the like, in combination, fixed go-si-gnals for a plurality of intersecting lines of travel; fixedstop signals for said lines of travel; means operable for selectively displaying the appropriate go-signal to traffic on any one of said'intersecting lines of travel and simultaneously the appropriate stop-signals to all other traffic, and also operable for displaying stopsignals to traffic on all said plurality of lines of travel; and a single actuating member associated with said means and movable, for selective display of the go-signals, through a position at which all the stop-signals are displayed and all the go-signals are concealed.

16. In a signaling device for controlling traffic at street intersections, in combination, a standard, a pair of levers arranged at an angle to each other, each fulcrumed between its ends on said standard and adapted to rock in a vertical plane; stop and go signaling means connected with each end of each lever for actuation thereby to alternately display and conceal the go and stop signals in harmony with each other, means to conceal said signals at predetermined intervals, an actuating lever fulcrumed on the standard below said pair of lovers, and links connecting said pair of levers to the actuating lever on opposite sides of its fulcrum. i

17. In a traffic signal, signalling devices, a manually operable signal actuating lever mounted to oscillate in a vertical plane, means for enabling said lever to be positioned in either of two opposed and sub stantially horizontal operative positions corresponding with the two lines of traffic control respectively, and to be positioned in an intermediate vertical neutral position corresponding with and indicative of the stoppage of traffic along both of said lines of travel, the end of said lever being inclined to the body of the handle to such an extent as always to be parallel to the line of travel where the traffic is signalled to proceed and to be at an angle to the line of travel where the traffic is signalled to stop, and connections intermediate said signalling devices and lover.

C. D. MoVAY.

ill) 

